I was rushed for time. I had to catch a flight to Savannakhet, southwest of Vientiane, on a mission to install a complete communications site. It was about a six or seven day project, so I needed enough supplies to last me. I had my van packed with equipment all stashed in Samsonite suitcases. We always transported any equipment in Samsonite suitcases to conceal the equipment or supplies.
Not finding a parking space by the store where I was buying supplies, I double-parked my van in front of the store. I handed my list of needed supplies to an older Chinese shop owner who made small talk while pulling the supplies. I kept an eye on the van in case I had blocked someone else, but the shop owner’s small talk must have distracted me.
I paid for my supplies, and the shop owner helped me carry them to the van. After loading the supplies onto the empty suitcases I brought with me, I got in my van and started to drive off when I noticed a ticket on my windshield. It was in French and Laotian, so I went back to the shop owner asking him to translate it for me. “You have park ticket” he said. “You no can park like that.” I thanked him and left for the airport.
Upon my return to Vientiane, I forgot about the ticket. About a week later I discovered it in the glove box. It had to be paid within fifteen days of issue, so it was now delinquent.
I had met a Laotian lady at an Embassy function a couple of months earlier. She was a receptionist at the American Embassy and told me to come see her at the Embassy annex if I ever needed anything. Not recalling her name, I entered the Annex and started walking around. She recognized me and smiled. After some pleasantries, I said “You told me to come see you if I ever needed anything.”
“Yes, sure. How can I help you?” she asked.
I told her about my parking ticket and handed it to her. “It’s more than fifteen days. Why didn’t you come see me sooner?” she asked. I explained that I had been TDY1 at Savannakhet.
“Now it’s going to cost you much more,” she said then added “Do you have Kip2 with you?”
I always carried at least $100 in Kip for emergency purchases. “How much do I pay?” I asked. She told me to give her some ten dollars in Kip, and she would take care of it for me. I was thinking big money and expecting to pay at least some fifty dollars, so I was relieved at the ten dollar payment.
Need a Favor, Do a Favor - A couple of days after taking care of my parking ticket, my Laotian lady friend called me asking to meet her at the American Community Association for lunch. I was late in arriving and found her sitting with an American lady I had seen about at the Embassy annex. They both got up as I greeted them. My receptionist friend sweetly said “Jack,3 be a dear and pick up our tab, please.” As she handed me their tab, she added “We’re running late and have to get back to the office.” Included with her tab was the receipt for my parking ticket. “At least they didn’t have time to order expensive meals,” I told myself.
I kept seeing this lady at several other Embassy functions I attended. Each time I saw her, she never failed to warn me about avoiding parking violations. She was a good person to be friends with. In the ensuing months, she got me out of a few more jams I got myself into.
1 - Temporary Duty (away from home station).
2 - Lao currency.
3 - My code name under Project 404, US Embassy, was "Jack" and assigned to the position I held.
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